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National | Andrew Little

Unemployment key in Labour leader's State of the Nation speech

Labour's new leader Andrew Little delivered his first State of the Nation speech to a crowded hall this morning in Auckland.

His focus going forward is on small business New Zealand and tackling unemployment.

"Wealth needs to be created before it can be shared", said the former union boss, who wants to do "What's right for workers, for their families to keep skills in New Zealand."

Little describes small business as being "the engine room" of New Zealand's economic growth, and is promising that the next Labour government would lower the rate of unemployment to less than 3.5%.

Prime Minister John Key will also deliver his State of the Nation speech today.

Our political reporter Maiki Sherman will have a full report later today on Te Kāea, 5:30pm live, 7pm with subtitles.